Through-hulls closed in winter?

[cghubbell]

One of my (many) off-season projects will be replacing the old gate valves in my hull with properly bedded Forespar Marelon seacocks. I have read that you want to keep all seacocks closed in the winter except the cockpit drains, but I'm not 100% sure about the underlying theories.

What I would like to do is start removing the gate valves and through hulls now, prepping the surfaces as I go. If I do that, there's a very good chance that cold weather will set in during the project and I won't be able to finish bedding the new fixtures until spring. Of course, I can grind the hull in any weather. It's just the epoxy / bedding compound curing that concerns me.

The boat is on a cradle right now in New York, so real cold weather is approaching. Would having a few through hulls missing over winter be such a problem that I ought to wait until warmer weather or is it no big deal to start now and finish later?

Thanks,
Chris

[wwilson]

Originally Posted by cghubbell

... I have read that you want to keep all seacocks closed in the winter except the cockpit drains, but I'm not 100% sure about the underlying theories.

Chris,

The closed thru-hulls admonition is for boats that winter in the water. The precaution being one of not relying on hoses and hose clamps to keep out the sea when a seacock or valve is the better alternative. Cockpit thru-hulls need to be left open to allow rainwater or melting snow & ice to egress weather on the hard or in the water. There are those who have opinions about thru-hulls open or closed while on the hardstand as well - but those are a matter of preference rather than safety.

Wayne

[cghubbell]

Ahh, what a relief! There seem to be far more projects than there are warm days around here to get them done. Thanks!

[roline]

All seacocks that get closed for winter that could contain water are filled with antifreeze to prevent splitting. We leave the boats in the water all yr, sail in the winter months.

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by cghubbell

One of my (many) off-season projects will be replacing the old gate valves in my hull with properly bedded Forespar Marelon seacocks. I have read that you want to keep all seacocks closed in the winter except the cockpit drains, but I'm not 100% sure about the underlying theories.

Open seacocks with the hoses removed add good ventilation while on the hard..

Feel free to read the following to get a better handle on the project at hand:

Seacock & Thru-Hull Primer/Pre Information

Replacing Thru-Hulls and Seacocks

Seacock Backing Plates / Alternate Method / No Through Bolts

[Selkirk]

We must find the person who installed gate valves in your boat and feed him to the lions. It is our duty.

[tommays]

They usually have a drain port so you can get any water that is in the ball with the valve closed IF your in the water and have a freeze issue

[Valiente]

Originally Posted by Selkirk

We must find the person who installed gate valves in your boat and feed him to the lions. It is our duty.

That guy died of old age in the '90s.